Influence of boron nutrition on growth and yield attributes of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at New Area, Department of Millets, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during Thaipattam (January-February) 2021 on sandy clay loam. Eight treatments were followed with boron nutrition. T1 : Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF = N, P, K, S, Zn), T2 : RDF + 5 kg/ha boron ( Soil application), T3 : RDF + 2.5 kg/ha boron (Soil application) + 0.2% foliar spray at panicle initiation (PI) and flowering, T4 : RDF + 2.5 kg/ha boron (Soil application) + 0.4% foliar spray at panicle initiation (PI) and flowering, T5 : RDF + 2.5 kg/ha boron (Soil application) + 0.6% foliar spray at panicle initiation (PI) and flowering, T6 : RDF + 0.2% foliar spray at panicle initiation (PI) and flowering, T7 : RDF + 0.4% foliar spray at panicle initiation (PI) and flowering, T8 : RDF + 0.6% foliar spray at panicle initiation (PI) and flowering and were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Results indicated that application of RDF + 2.5 kg/ha boron (Soil) + 0.6% foliar spray at PI and flowering (T5) registered higher plant height, dry matter production, panicle length, 1000 grain weight, filled grains panicle-1 and grain yield over the control (T1).